Waco City Council certifies May 3 election, swears in three new members and names mayor pro tem

The Waco City Council on May 20, 2025, certified the results of the May 3 general election, officially declared George Chase the winner for Council District 5 and swore in three members — Isabelle Lozano, Darius Ewing and George Chase. The council also appointed Councilwoman Andrea Barefield as mayor pro tem.

City Secretary Michelle Hicks, who presented the certified returns, read the tabulation into the record: “On 05/03/2025, the legal votes cast for the general election are as follows listed, in order, by ballot. George Chase, 1135 votes. Jack Zunigas, 172 votes. Total votes cast, 1,307 votes.” Mayor Jim Holmes then certified the totals as presented.

The council approved Resolution 2025-326, the report of canvassing, by recorded vote. The motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded on the dais; the council polled in favor and the mayor declared the motion passed. After the canvass, City Secretary Hicks and the mayor administered certificates of election and oaths of office to the newly elected members.

During the same meeting the council addressed designation of mayor pro tem. Darius Ewing, who had served as mayor pro tem during the previous year, moved that “Councilwoman Andrea Jackson Barfield serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the coming year.” The motion was seconded and the council voted in favor; the mayor then directed a poll, after which the motion was declared approved.

The council closed the business portion of the meeting by inviting attendees to a reception in the Texas Room North and adjourning at 7:07 p.m.

Votes and formal actions from the meeting are recorded in the actions section of this article.